1
as in inventive
having the skill and imagination to create new things
an imaginative child who is always writing short stories about her pet cat
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in innovative
showing a noteworthy use of the imagination and creativity especially in inventing
found an imaginative gadget that can grind the beans and heat the water to brew coffee
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of imaginative
These imaginative designs often used minimalist imagery and sci-fi characters not even included in the films, yet helped establish a particular mood, tone, and emotion to entice fans into their seats.
—
Jeff Spry, Space.com, 4 May 2026
Hill House offers a broad sizing range that tends to run from XXXS to XXXXL with a generous, flowy fit that feels cute to wear but never restrictive -- an ideal combo for imaginative or active play.
—Kelsey Legg, ABC News, 4 May 2026
And be prepared for something that dazzles, delights and reacquaints you with Rowling’s imaginative variations on a British school experience.
—Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 30 Apr. 2026
The Founding Fathers were bold and imaginative rebels with a cause.
—Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for imaginative
Jeff Spry, Space.com, 4 May 2026
Hill House offers a broad sizing range that tends to run from XXXS to XXXXL with a generous, flowy fit that feels cute to wear but never restrictive -- an ideal combo for imaginative or active play.
—Kelsey Legg, ABC News, 4 May 2026
And be prepared for something that dazzles, delights and reacquaints you with Rowling’s imaginative variations on a British school experience.
—Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 30 Apr. 2026
The Founding Fathers were bold and imaginative rebels with a cause.
—Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for imaginative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imaginative
Adjective
-
The Rosemary Rose, a rooftop lounge inspired by the French Riviera, draws a lively mix of locals and hotel guests with inventive cocktails, Mediterranean-leaning small plates, and sweeping city views.—
Susmita Baral,
Travel + Leisure,
10 May 2026
-
Expanding beyond a single point of view, the film explores memory, time, and perspective through a formally inventive approach that blends fiction and documentary elements.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
In 2019, the Gucci and Saint Laurent owner launched the Kering Generation Award to scout innovative talent worldwide—an initiative that has since expanded to include a dedicated jewelry edition.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Footwear News,
12 May 2026
-
Democrats in Congress have questioned the legality of some of those efforts, including a program that offers drugmakers expedited reviews for innovative medicines.—
Matthew Perrone,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
Adjective
-
Leah became chief creative officer of the niche fragrance line Skylar and was on Forbes’s 2026 30 Under 30 list for her social media reach.—
Anna Peele,
Vanity Fair,
14 May 2026
-
The creative team is not so much interested in nostalgia but feels there is a timely urgency behind revisiting the model’s life.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
Its hero is Miss Maple, certainly the cleverest sheep in the flock, probably the cleverest sheep in the village of Glennkill, and maybe the cleverest sheep in the world.—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
-
But this is a clever essay about making sense of the ambiguous advice that people love to dispense, from someone who is willing to explain which ones actually proved helpful to his own film journey.—
Dana Harris-Bridson,
IndieWire,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
Though the shoot was short and the heat was hot, Gray says being surrounded by talented, dedicated actors made the rest of it pretty easy.—
Rebecca Ford,
Vanity Fair,
11 May 2026
-
Now, as Ella Fellas know, the talented singer has elite skills on social media.—
David Hookstead OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Imaginative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imaginative. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
